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Small cell lung cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadliest forms of the disease, accounting for about 15% of lung cancer cases each year. For decades, treatment options remained limited — but that’s beginning to change. A new wave of innovation is offering real hope for patients and families. In this segment, we sit down with a leading doctor and his patient to learn more about the cutting-edge therapies making a differenc

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A data breach at a company designed to keep credit safe is impacting millions of people across the United States and in central Ohio.

It’s becoming a more common story and is another example of why everyone needs to know how to keep their data safe. 

A spokesperson for TransUnion told NBC4 they identified and contained the breach within hours, but still, sensitive information was stolen. We also heard from a viewer who said she was impacted. 

A letter came in the mail for one NBC4 viewer showing that her Social Security number and date of birth were stolen. Anyone who was impacted should have received one too. 

“The most important thing to know about this particular incident is it doesn't affect, at least from what's been published, it didn't affect the actual credit score database,” SecureCyber CEO Shawn Waldman said. 

The breach impacted a third-party system. Waldman said many companies, such as Google, have fallen victim to similar breaches that impacted customer relations databases. 

“It's becoming more the norm. I mean, the threat actors, bad guys, are finding new and ingenious ways to get access to sensitive information,” Waldman said. 

In a statement, a TransUnion spokesperson wrote: “TransUnion recently experienced a cyber incident that affected a third-party application serving our U.S. consumer support operations. Upon discovery, we quickly contained the issue, which did not involve our core credit database or include credit reports. The incident involved unauthorized access to limited personal information for a very small percentage of U.S. consumers. We are working with law enforcement and engaged third party cyber security experts for an independent forensics review. Additionally, we are notifying affected consumers and providing credit monitoring services” and “We identified and contained this event within hours.”

“They got social security numbers. That's all the threat actors want because they're out there now trying to get credit cards, trying to build fake identities with these,” National Technology Management CEO and Founder Kelly Siegel said. 

Siegel is the CEO of a cybersecurity firm that uses AI to protect people against AI. 

“I've been in this business for 27 years. Nothing surprises me anymore,” Siegel said. “The challenge becomes as long as we have humans, we're going to have this issue.”

Now those impacted, along with everyone, should be taking steps to lock up their data. 

“Practice, you know, good cyber hygiene. We've got to enter into a part of our world where the general public becomes a little more attentive to what that means in order to protect themselves, because these bad guys, these incidents are just going to continue and they'll just continue to escalate,” Waldman said. 

There are a few ways to protect yourself, whether you are a victim of this data breach or not. Set up multi-factor authentication, freeze your credit and set up alerts if there are any changes to your credit or bank account. 

TransUnion is also offering two years of free credit monitoring to those impacted.

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An air quality alert has been issued by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for all of Friday in Columbus and other central Ohio cities.

All of central Ohio will be under this alert due to ozone levels that may reach unhealthy standards. The expected air quality levels will meet the conditions making going outside unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Temperatures are expected to reach near 90 on Friday with very little cloud cover. The AQI forecast is projected to reach 101, which will be unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The national AQI scale monitors ozone and particle pollution levels to note air safety. The scale runs from 0-500, with higher values indicating higher risks.

MORPC said sensitive groups include active children, the elderly and people with asthma and COPD. To avoid possible health issues, these groups are encouraged to limit outdoor activity, particularly over longer periods of time. If anyone experiences breathing difficulties, MORCP encourages them to call their doctor.

All central Ohioans are encouraged to take action to help improve air quality. MORCP recommends avoiding refueling your vehicle or getting gas, as both contribute to pollution, especially during the daytime heat. Residents are also encouraged to avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment and hold off mowing until another day. People are encouraged to carpool or seek alternate transportation when possible.

ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® headquarters will close at 12 PM Eastern time on Friday, September 19, 2025, for a staff event.

The ARRL Headquarters lobby and store, as well as W1AW, will be open to visitors from 8 AM to 12 PM EDT. Members are reminded that many transactions may be completed on our website at www.arrl.org.

There won’t be any interruptions to the W1AW bulletin o...

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new experimental museum for adults under construction in Columbus is readying to welcome its first visitors by the end of this year.

Located at 540 Maier Place on Whittier Peninsula, Prototype is nearing completion and promises to offer a unique, ever-changing experience for visitors. A 30,000-square-foot museum from Columbus-based design firm Roto, it's expected to open its doors in late 2025.

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"Prototype is where edgy meets experimental," said Dana Russell, Roto's vice president of brand and culture, in a statement. "It is designed for adults seeking something bold and provocative, making Prototype a prime destination for date nights, group outings, or anyone craving an unexpected adventure."

• A rendering of Prototype, under construction at 540 Maier Place on Whittier Peninsula. (Courtesy Photo/Roto)
• A rendering of Prototype, under construction at 540 Maier Place on Whittier Peninsula. (Courtesy Photo/Roto)

The museum is still under construction, but work is well underway, with exhibits and spaces being installed for the first test groups later this fall. Prototype will feature six large staging rooms, a full-service bar, and flexible spaces that can be adapted for different types of experiences.

The museum is designed to be a constantly evolving space where visitors can engage with new ideas and exhibits. Rather than adhering to a single theme or focus, Prototype will function as a "sandbox" for experimentation, allowing artists, designers, and technologists to test ideas and collaborate on new experiences.

Prototype marks Roto's collaboration with several local and international partners, including BalletMet, Champaign Aviation Museum and Meimage Dance from Taiwan. These partnerships will form part of the museum's first set of exhibits, which will continue to evolve based on audience feedback. This approach means that every visit to Prototype will offer something different from the last.

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The museum's leadership team, which includes experienced local professionals from Ohio History Connection and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, aims to provide a space where visitors can play an active role in shaping the museum's offerings.

"We are developing applications with advanced software tools and environments that people haven’t yet seen in museums anywhere," said Nick Braun, Roto's vice president of creative technology.

For more information on Prototype's opening and ticket sales, visit the museum's website, prototype.org.

CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) –  Kroger is working toward opening a new marketplace and gas station in Canal Winchester, and will soon unveil renovations made to another local store.

On Aug. 18, Canal Winchester City Council unanimously approved Kroger’s plan to build a grocery store on an undeveloped 17.9-acre lot on the east side of Diley Road and north of Dove Parkway, just west of the Canal Winchester Redwood Apartments. 

Kroger is currently planning to open the new store, at 8200 Diley Road, in mid-September of 2026, a spokesperson told NBC4.

The 122,910-square-foot marketplace will feature a drive-thru pharmacy and grocery pick-up area. The project also includes a fuel center with seven pumps and a canopy, according to plans Kroger submitted to the city. 

In a Wednesday news release, Kroger said the company will put $35 million toward launching the new store, bringing its Columbus division’s investments in Ohio to more than $250 million over the past five years. The grocer stated the new market, which sits on the edge of Pickerington and Canal Winchester, is “a perfect location” for shoppers in both cities.

“Kroger is proud to be Ohio’s grocer of choice, and we are committed to serving our customers in one of the fastest growing regions in the United States,” said Mark Bruce, head of communications for Kroger’s Columbus division.

The new store will join an existing Kroger in Canal Winchester, at 6095 Gender Road. That location has been undergoing renovations for nearly four months while remaining open, and will unveil its completed $1.8 million remodel on Friday.

The 64,532-square-foot store has undergone updates to its floral, bakery and dairy departments, among other areas, according to a news release. It also boasts new interior decor and updated exterior signage. 

To celebrate the “grand reopening,” Kroger will also offer special deals, including an extra 20 cents off per gallon of gas purchased for those who use their Kroger Plus card from Sept. 19-21. 

“We can’t wait for the Canal Winchester community to see their refreshed grocery store on Sept. 19,” said store leader John White. “Shoppers will find many updates to their favorite store with each one aimed at making the shopping experience the best it can be.”

Kroger is an American grocery retailer that was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati. The chain has since spread to more than 1,200 locations across 16 states, including about 200 stores in Ohio. The Kroger Company also owns multiple other brands, including Dillons, Ralphs and Gerbes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked portions of Ohio's budget that would have removed some elected educators from the State Teachers Retirement System Board.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Andy Miller blocked those portions of the budget from taking effect until there can be a hearing for a preliminary injunction, according to the Ohio Federation of Teachers.

Provisions in the state budget reduce the number of elected teachers on the STRS board from seven to three and adding four new political appointees. Critics said the provision in the budget, which was added at the last minute, was an effort to silence teachers.

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The Ohio Federation of Teachers celebrated Wednesday's ruling.

"Ohio's educators have dedicated their lives and careers to serving students; they deserve to retire with dignity and financial security, and to have a meaningful voice in their retirement system," a spokesperson said in a statement.

The Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, and the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, calling the provisions unconstitutional. Those groups are the three largest education unions in Ohio.

The group argues that educators' rights were violated because the law only targets STRS, and not the other four public pension systems in Ohio, which get to keep their elected members as the majority.

There have been several years of chaos at the massive pension system, with retired teachers denied cost-of-living increases and the Ohio attorney general filing a civil complaint against two board members.

NBC4 reached out to a STRS spokesperson for comment and has not received a response.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is dead and two others were injured in a shooting Thursday morning in east Columbus.

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A police dispatcher said the shooting occurred at 9:24 a.m. at the 3200 block of Sterling Lane. Three victims were found at the scene with a gunshot with each going to a different area hospital.

Two were transported in stable condition but one was hospitalized in critical condition and was pronounced dead. A CPD spokesperson said a person believed to be the shooter was taken into custody.

No further information is known at this time.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Meet Gri! She is up for adoption at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.

Gri is 8 years old and has been with the shelter for a couple of months. Staff say she is your typical senior dog who will have some spurts of energy to play, but loves to relax and snuggle up.

Staff say Gri recently went on a couple of sleepovers and was described as a "cuddle bug." She is looking for a family where she can go on walks with you and be adventurous, but will be a couch potato at the end of the day.

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Shelter staff say she can be a little selective with her dog friends, so a meet and greet with your residential dog is recommended before moving forward in adopting her. Staff say she would do well with adults or even families with older children.

Gri's adoption fee is waived and is available for $18. If you are interested in Gri, you can meet with her at the shelter, located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. in Columbus. For a full list of other adoptable dogs, visit the shelter's website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With the Buckeyes off this weekend, it is the perfect chance for people to hit the road and explore central Ohio’s festivals and outdoor fun.

The Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival in Laurelville features thousands of hand-blown pumpkins and live glassblowing, while the Mohican Bigfoot Festival in Loudonville offers everything from river trips to Bigfoot speakers and photo ops. Runners and hikers can head to Hocking Hills State Park for the 47th annual Trail Run through caves, waterfalls, and scenic gorges.

For sports fans staying in town, the Columbus Clippers wrap up a series against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park, and the Columbus Crew takes on Toronto FC at Lower.com Field.

Live entertainment lovers can catch MadLab’s surreal play “Clowntime is Over,” or laugh along at Comedy Night at Nostalgia Brewing in Gahanna. Meanwhile, music fans have two chances to see Cody Johnson at Nationwide Arena.

Rounding out the weekend are events for every interest, from the North Market Wine Fest at Bridge Park to the Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens and DogFest North Central, a family- and dog-friendly fundraiser featuring service dog demonstrations. Additionally, the citywide Cartoon Crossroads Columbus festival showcases comics and animation through films and discussions. Families can enjoy free activities and entertainment at the Maloney Park Cap City Festival.

Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) 2025

Various locations around Columbus, through Sept. 22
• Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) is an annual comics art and animation festival across the city of Columbus. The event brings internationally renowned cartoonists and animators to give talks, presentations and sell their work. This year's show features Jhonen Vasquez, John Musker, Charles Burns and more, as well as a new international manga programming track.

Columbus Clippers vs. Omaha Storm Chasers

Huntington Park, through Sept. 22
• Columbus Clippers, Triple-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, will play the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park. Admission is $6 to $21.
• Game Times:
September 18: 6:15 p.m.
September 19: 7:05 p.m.
September 20: 7:05 p.m.
September 21: 1:05 p.m.

NBC4 File photo Comedy Night at Nostalgia Brewing

Nostalgia Brewing Co., 81 Mill St., Gahanna, Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
• Next Stop Comedy is back with a night of high-energy performances featuring new comedians and nonstop good vibes. Each show has a new lineup with no drink minimum. Performances may contain adult content. Refunds are available until showtime. Admission is $25.

Cody Johnson

Nationwide Arena, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, 7:30 p.m.
• Cody Johnson will perform his Leather Deluxe Tour at Nationwide Arena. Friday special guests Clint Black and Drew Baldridge. Saturday special guests Ian Munsick and Walker Montgomery. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $80 and up.

Cody Johnson performs "Til You Can't" during the 56th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) MadLab 'Clowntime is Over'

MadLab, 227 N. 3rd. St., Columbus, Thursday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 4
• A surreal comedy suffused with dread, “Clowntime” is one of MadLab’s best-received shows. “Clowntime” tells the tale of Max P. Twinkle, a television clown who lives to entertain — because he is too exhausted by life to do anything else. Today, however, is different, as he finds himself trapped in a room with a bitter llama, a loveless bunny rabbit and a fitfully hungry serpent that may destroy them all. All shows start at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 to $20.

Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival

Laurelville, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19 to 21
• This nationally ranked festival showcases thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins, live glassblowing, regional artists, food trucks, music, and family-friendly activities. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Festivalgoers are encouraged to carpool and reserve VIP Advance Discount Parking for $5 at GlassPumpkinFestival.com. Guests who reserve parking receive a $5 coupon towards their Jack Pine pumpkin purchase. Plenty of day-of parking is available for $10 per car. Admission is free.

Photo Courtesy/ Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival Maloney Park Cap City Festival

Maloney Park, 1701 Joyce Ave, Columbus, Friday, Sept. 19, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• An afternoon of free fun and entertainment for the whole family. With activities, resources and food in a safe and enjoyable environment. Admission is free.

North Market Wine Fest at Bridge Park

North Market Bridge Park, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20
• The wine festival will take place at North Market Bridge Park in Dublin, Ohio. This two-day event brings distributors and wineries from around the world. Hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $60 to $85, which includes taste tickets and food vouchers.

Mohican Bigfoot Festival

Lost Horizons Campground Friday, Sept. 19 & Downtown Loudonville, Saturday, Sept. 20
• Friday's activities feature a river trip, thermal drone demo, community campfire, Bigfoot shows, and activities for kids. On Saturday, there will be downtown sidewalk sales, food and merchandise vendors, speakers at the Ohio Theatre, photo ops with a nine-foot Bigfoot, a Walk Like a Bigfoot contest, a Bigfoot sighting board, and DJ Wolf Rock Radio, Brian Wolf.

• Speakers at the Ohio Theatre include Larry Sidwell of BFRO West Virginia, Rod Rodabaugh an Ohio Bigfoot investigator, Bea Mills of the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival, Shane Grove, “From the Shadows” podcaster and keynote speaker, Matt Pruitt, author of “The Phenomenal Sasquatch” and producer and editor of “Bigfoot and Beyond Podcast with Cliff and Bobo.”

A dark, scary concept of a mysterious Bigfoot figure walking through a forest, silhouetted against trees. Adobe Stock. Hocking Hills Trail Run

Hocking Hills State Park, Saturday, Sept. 20
• The 47th annual trail run offers distances from 5K to 60K on scenic courses winding past waterfalls, caves, and gorges. All runners will be equipped with chip timing devices. Races meet and finish at the Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist Cabin, 19852 S.R. 664 S in Hocking County.  Refreshments will be available for runners after their races. All races must start before 11 a.m. and end by 3 p.m. to be considered for timing and awards. The event also welcomes walkers and leashed pets. Each participant receives a medallion handcrafted by local high school art students and a t-shirt. Cost is $25 for the 5K run, $35 for the 10K, and $45 for 20K, 40K and 60K routes, with day-of signup offered for an additional $10.

Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC

Lower.com Field, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
• Columbus Crew is set to host Toronto FC. Tickets are $41 and up

Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens

Short North, Sunday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• From Queen Anne mansion to fashionable farmhouse, this year’s tour showcases the unique, eclectic character that is the Short North. A self-guided exploration through the Short North’s Victorian Village and Italian Village neighborhoods, highlighting exceptional restoration, innovative renovation and use of outdoor spaces. The tour starts at the Goodale Park Gazebo, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus. There are free shuttles to all nine tour stops. Tickets are $25 each.

• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens

DogFest

Canine Companions North Central Training Center, Sunday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• DogFest North Central is a community festival benefiting Canine Companions, the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of expertly trained service dogs. DogFest is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event featuring amazing service dog skill demonstrations, music, local vendors, food trucks, activities for kids and the ribbon cutting of Canine Companions North Central’s new, fully accessible playground. Every dollar raised helps provide service dogs — free of charge — to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. NBC4 anchor Andrea Robinson as she emcees the event.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As Columbus City Schools works to cut $50 million annually from its budget, the district is weighing major transportation changes.

“I think we would all agree that the state’s not coming to save us,” Treasurer Ryan Cook said. “And now the feds aren’t helping. I think we have to begin to attack it with urgency."

At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Cook offered an updated financial forecast, which now projects positive cash balances into fiscal year 2030, one year later than previously projected. However, Cook said the district still needs to cut $50 million annually from the budget, and should brace for additional cuts in the future.

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Although Superintendent Angela Chapman won't present her recommendations until November, the district is already considering major changes to transportation. On Sept. 11, the district mulled giving all high school students Central Ohio Transit Authority passes or doing away with high school transportation entirely. The state only requires public districts to transport students through eighth grade.

Giving COTA passes to high schoolers would allow them to take public transportation instead of relying on school busing. The district said it would save an estimated $4.7 million annually and remove the need for 50 buses. Cutting high school transportation entirely would save the district $7.2 million annually but would place the burden of transportation onto families.

The district said either option would also help Columbus City Schools save money in noncompliance fines. Ohio public schools are required to provide transportation for students who live within district boundaries and go to charter schools. Rodney Stufflebean, executive director of transportation, explained to school board members in August that the state fines public districts that receive transportation complaints from nonpublic schools.

After a fifth complaint from nonpublic schools, CCS must pay $161,000 per day for violations. However, there is no timeline for when nonpublic schools have to file complaints. Stufflebean said in April, nonpublic schools filed numerous complaints from the previous August, so CCS was unable to address the issues and avoid the fines.

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Stufflebean said the district spends $77 million each year on transportation, but noncompliance fines raise costs over $100 million. He said the district had successfully reduced its fees from $22 million to $1.4 million before it was hit with new fines in April, driving the fees back up to $15 million.

Shufflebean said although the district gets a reimbursement for all nonpublic students it transports, the cost to transport nonpublic students exceeds state funding allotments. Chapman said many Ohio districts have shifted to the state minimum of who they need to transport, something she said CCS has not done. She said after the pandemic, CCS continued to operate transportation as it had before COVID-19, despite having 200 fewer bus drivers.

Cook said providing COTA transportation to high schoolers would reduce the chance for fines, and removing high school transportation would eliminate 9-12 noncompliance fines entirely. Cook said the district does not budget for fines, so they always represent a direct revenue loss.

Although removing transportation would save the most money, board members recognized the responsibility that placed on families. As part of the Tuesday meeting the board discussed their recent state report card and areas for improvement. The report card placed the district's chronic absentee rate at 52.6%, which is unlikely to be bettered by placing the responsibility of getting to school on families.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Some Ohio residents are pushing the state to remove its motto, “With God, all things are possible,” over concerns that it promotes a specific religion. 

Tyquawn Darrisaw, 21, of Cleveland, started an online petition on Sept. 8 to urge the state’s legislature to get rid of Ohio’s motto, which is a direct quote from the Bible, specifically Matthew 19:26. Darrisaw said that the state’s use of a religious motto “conflicts with the principle of government neutrality” and raises concerns regarding the separation of church and state.

“We should have a state motto that represents all residents equally, regardless of their religious beliefs,” Darrisaw said. “The current motto may alienate non-religious citizens and those of different faiths, potentially conveying state endorsement of a particular religious belief.”

The petition has a goal of 1,000 signatures and had just under 600 as of Wednesday. Darrisaw said he has used the social media platform Reddit to help the effort gain momentum and plans to print flyers. If the petition does not reach its goal, Darrisaw said he intends to continue his effort, but “not necessarily in a public way.”

“If we hit 1,000, the next step would be to go out in public, talk to people, gather written signatures and put up posters,” Darrisaw said. “I don’t think 1,000 signatures alone will create change; we’d need a lot more support to truly make a difference.”

A handful of states have mottos with generic references to God, but Ohio is the only state with a motto that contains a direct quote from the Bible. 

Ohio has a history of controversial mottos. In 1866, the legislature approved the motto “Imperium in Imperio” – a Latin phrase meaning “An Empire Within an Empire” – but it faced public backlash over its “pretentious feudal meaning,” according to the Ohio Historical Society. Therefore, the legislation was repealed a year later. 

After about 92 years without a state motto, Ohio adopted “With God, all things are possible” in 1959. The change came after 12-year-old Cincinnati resident James Mastronardo collected signatures and testified before the legislature in support of the motto, which was one of his mother’s favorite phrases, according to the state website. 

That motto has also faced opposition, and not just in the form of Darrisaw’s petition. In 1997, the American Civil Liberties Union sued Ohio, alleging the motto improperly intertwines government and religion. A three-judge panel for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals initially sided with the ACLU, ruling the motto is a government endorsement of the Christian faith. However, upon a review by the full court, the decision was reversed, with judges concluding the motto was a “generic” reference to God and did not mention any one religion. 

Ohio’s state website also claims the motto is “not intended to endorse a specific deity, but instead stands as a generic expression of optimism.” 

Federal courts have long held that generic references to God are permitted under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment – which prohibits the government from establishing a religion – including phrases like “In God We Trust” on currency and “one Nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

But Darrisaw argued Ohio’s motto, which originates from the Christian faith, potentially conveys a state endorsement of a particular religious belief. He said this could lead people of other faiths to feel the state does not represent them equally. 

He also argued having the motto on items everyone uses, such as a driver’s license, is unfair because it could put nonbelievers in an uncomfortable position, forcing them to carry a message they may not agree with. 

“This isn’t about attacking anyone’s beliefs,” Darrisaw said. “I respect everyone’s beliefs, even if they don’t always respect mine. It’s about making Ohio a place that’s fair and welcoming for everyone, without putting labels on people.”

The state’s motto can be seen in a variety of places, including on the letterheads of some state and county agencies, the Franklin County flag, an engraving near the Ohio Statehouse and driver’s licenses. 

NBC4 asked the Ohio Council of Churches — a partnership of 17 Christian denominations encompassing 4,000 congregations — for its stance on the effort. Executive Director Rev. Jack Sullivan, Jr. sent the following statement:

“Rather than serving as a motto of a religiously diverse state, a better use of scripture is to inspire adherents to model their faith through loving their neighbors, working for justice, and teaching nonviolence and peacemaking. Such compelling, scripture-based Christian faith actions have greater potential to influence the public than any motto.”

Spokespeople for Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Ohio Statehouse did not respond to requests for comment.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's governor-appointed work group has less than two weeks to complete its property tax relief solutions.

The Property Tax Reform Work Group has until Sept. 30 to issue a report with concrete proposals to address Ohio's high property taxes. The 11-person group of politicians, auditors and superintendents must find a way to reduce Ohioans' property tax burdens without bankrupting local schools or public services, which rely on property tax revenue. See previous coverage of the group in the video player above.

Former state Representative Bill Seitz co-chairs the work group and said he and his fellow co-chair, President and CEO of the Ohio Business Round Table Pat Tiberi, will present their recommendations to the rest of the group at a meeting Thursday afternoon. Seitz said the group will flesh out the co-chairs' suggestions and he hopes to come out of the meeting with a consensus of what they will recommend at the end of the month.

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Seitz said many of the ideas they've considered are good ones but would likely be too expensive. He said the Ohio Legislature has indicated they will not spend large amounts of money offsetting tax relief plans that require new revenue sources for schools or resources.

Seitz said one idea they are strongly considering is an amended version of House Bill 186, which would limit school districts from increasing property taxes higher than the rate of inflation. The proposal adjusts a complicated property tax law known as the 20-mill floor.

The 20-mill floor ensures school districts receive at least 2% of the total property value within district boundaries. For example, if all of the homes and buildings within a district's boundaries have a total value of $1 billion, then the 20-mill floor ensures that district gets at least $20 million -- 2% -- in property tax revenue.

Although the 20-mill floor protects school funding, it can spike taxes for community members when property values rise quickly. H.B. 186 suggests limiting how much tax revenue schools at the 20-mill floor can take in, ensuring it is at or lower than the rate of inflation. This would prevent dramatic property tax increases, but could lead to schools collecting less revenue.

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H.B. 186 recommends using tax credits, calculated every three years for each individual property, to prevent schools from collecting too much money. Ohio school districts are funded by both local property taxes and state funding. Under current law, state funding calculations would not automatically offset funding losses from a tax credit program.

The bill combats that by adjusting how the state calculates financing. It redirects the state formula to reflect when a district runs into the new tax credit cap. This would trigger changes in the state's funding formula to indicate the district needs more state support.

Seitz said the group will also hear suggestions that may provide smaller relief. For example, he said they would discuss giving school districts a bigger say when cities decide to offer developments property tax breaks. Local governments do not always consult school districts when offering tax breaks, costing schools.

"It's easy to give away other people's money," Seitz said.

Seitz said he is "very optimistic" the group will present feasible property tax solutions by their deadline. He said they hope to reach a consensus Thursday so they can use the remaining time to iron out their plan's details and write their report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- People around central Ohio may have noticed their noses are runny, their eyes are itchy, and they are sneezing quite a bit because ragweed pollen is increasing, triggering fall allergies.

Local allergists said these symptoms probably aren’t going away any time soon. In fact, Dr. Rekha Raveendran, the Director of Allergy and Immunology at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, said it may get worse before it gets better.

“Now it’s moderate. It's heading toward high. So in the next couple of weeks, it's going to start peaking. And so you're going to see worse and worse allergies. More stuffy noses, more itchy, watery eyes. That's all kind of coming forward for us,” said Dr. Raveendran.

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Local allergists said they are seeing an influx of people suffering from allergies.

However, fall allergies can be a bit harder to diagnose because more illnesses occur in the fall.

Dr. Farah Khan, an allergist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said it’s especially hard to recognize in kids.

“The one thing that I always tell parents is if it's become like a pattern year in and year out and you're like, the itchy eyes only get better with some oral antihistamines, and this goes on for several weeks, I would say come see an allergist,” said Dr. Khan.

It can take years for children to even be diagnosed with allergies.

“It’s the chronicity of symptoms. And if you start to notice a pattern like my kid is five and every year for the last few years when we are cooling back down, he is sneezy and itchy, then yeah, it might be time for an allergist,” said Dr. Khan.

No matter the age, allergy symptoms are pretty much the same: runny nose, congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and maybe even some coughing.

Treatment is the same, too, and allergists recommend oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops.

Dr. Raveendran said people will likely be dealing with fall allergies for weeks or months.

“They’re generally getting worse every year. And I think it's because the seasons are sort of melding together,” said Dr. Raveendran. “Our frosts are kind of getting a little bit later. So the weeds are staying out a lot longer. So you tend to have symptoms a lot longer.”

Besides medication, people can also make some changes at home that could help relieve symptoms, including immediately showering and changing clothes after being outdoors.

It’s all about keeping the pollen away from you.

“Keeping windows closed at home or in the car, even if it's a beautiful day, because otherwise all that pollen is rushing into your face if you're driving around the car or settling on the furniture. And then there's no difference with being inside versus outside,” said Dr. Khan.

People will feel some relief as the weather gets colder, but they won’t be free from those fall allergies until the first frost kills the weeds. That could happen anytime between mid-October and early December.